Long Distance

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Shared family memories of burnt baked goods.

Don’t let it burn, Viv.
You better check on it, missy.
Weren’t we just saying that the convection works faster?
Remember the last one?
I remember, I remember.
Yes?
Yes. And you’re right, but you’re forgetting.
I’m turning the oven temp down right now. You’re moving too slowly, missy.
I’m remembering.
You’re sitting on the counter. Oh, Viv, you’re sitting on your grandmother’s recipe.
We don’t need the recipe. Fifty minutes or until golden brown, no?
But the last time, the crust completely burned. It was an inch thick of black.
Yes, but you’re forgetting that it was still delicious.
I’m not forgetting. We scooped the good stuff out with the melon baller.
It was delicious.
We dished it onto vanilla ice cream when Jack came home!
I took it out of the oven and then Jack came in the door. He held up his phone and asked if he should call the fire department.
Yes. We hadn’t noticed the smoke.
Then we walked through the house with Jack, all of us opening windows.
Oh, that put me in a good mood, the three of us sending the smoke back into the night.
Was it Jack’s first visit home from school?
Yes. Good-bye, smoke.
Hello, phone.
I’ll get it, missy. Please check the oven.
If it’s Jack, tell him we were talking about him.
It’s Emily!
Viv says hello.How is everyone?
Did he get in?
I’ve been thinking of you.
It’s perfect for Max.Oh, it’s terrible the way I miss Jack. Viv misses him, too. We’ll get used to it. You’ll get used to it. She’ll find her place. But not yet. Right now we like spending our time together. We’re comfortable together.
Doing nothing. Reading books. Watching the fire. Watering the plants. The small things. He’s doing a hundred plays this semester.Viv! How does it look?
Viv! Emily’s baking cookies in Canada!
What kind?
Oatmeal raisin chocolate chip butterscotch!
Emily is going to open her oven to find our perfectly baked cobbler. And look, here in our oven in New Jersey, Emily’s oatmeal raisin chocolate chip butterscotch cookies, golden brown, delectable. They’re delicious!
They’re delicious.
Call me again soon!